Hardware failure?

 

Diagnostic + Hardware-Based Repair (including overheating issues)

 

RATE

 

$100.00 labor

Test for hardware and/or software based issues. Parts can fail, whether it be the power supply unit (PSU), RAM memory chips, the central processor (CPU), the hard drive, the motherboard, the video card, an expansion card, or other internal part.  Using diagnostic tools, PCR will isolate what hardware part (if any) is causing the problem, research the cost of any part (s) that may be needed, then advise you of the problem and cost, and then if you wish to proceed PCR will do the appropriate repair work to get your computer's hardware back to it's previous working order. 

Compare with the other Geeks' price of at least $199.99

+ Exact cost of parts

Add only the exact cost of reimbursement for any replacement part (s) replaced including California tax if applicable and shipping. Typically ordered from Southern California based www.ZipZoomFly.com or local LA county wholesalers and shipped in one day.

+ $20.00

Additional charge for motherboard replacement or internal laptop parts other than the hard drive or RAM. Failed motherboards are very uncommon, but when they do fail, more labor is required than usual, hence the additional $20.00 fee.
 

Have you backed up your critical data?

+ $20.00

(optional)

For safety, backup up to 100 GB of data.  $0.25 for each additional 5 GB of safety data backup (over 100 GB). PCR will typically backup your entire "documents and settings" folder or "users" folder (Vista) to an external hard drive that you provide or temporarily save to one of PCR's in-shop drives. If you can access your desktop you may or may not wish to back up your data yourself to save $$. Compare with the other Geeks' price of $99.99 for only up to 30 GB.

+ $10.00 (optional)

Export security "certificate" (if any). Note: Cannot be performed from computer that won't boot to desktop.

+ $10.00 (optional)

       per "user"

Files and Settings Transfer Wizard export. Note: Cannot be performed from computer that won't boot to desktop.
(optional)

Import local email / browser data (see pricing)
   

$20.00 (optional)

Too busy to drop off your computer? Pickup and delivery from your Pacific Palisades business.

Compare with the other Geek's fee of $100.00

 

NO charge if PCR cannot get your computer back to previous hardware working condition

Includes physical cleaning of excessive dust buildup inside the computer (if any) which otherwise can cause over heating. 

Test for hardware and software issues using diagnostic tools, advise you what problems exist.

Provide a detailed report on what work was done.

Notes: 

Generally speaking if the cost of repair is more than 1/2 of what it would cost to buy a new replacement computer then it may not be worth repairing. If you have an older computer then you may wish to skip the repair and instead just back up your data or migrate it to a new computer or hard drive, which PCR can perform. However replacement parts can be very inexpensive (example: $60 motherboards).

Palisades Computer Repair does NOT profit off of parts replaced. You only pay the exact cost of the part (s) including shipping and California tax (if applicable), billed as "reimbursement". A copy of the parts purchase receipt is provided upon completion of the job. There is an additional $20.00 labor fee for failed motherboard replacement only.

After the repair, if you request a back up of your data to an in-shop PCR drive, PCR will either erase your data at your request, or retain it for safety for 3 weeks only. PCR has several drives in "rotation" for backing up customer's data. For safety PCR stores no more than one customer's data on any one drive at any given time. Drives are zero wiped (erased) and error checked.

QUESTION: Have you backed up your data? Is the data critical or not? Before working on a computer at Palisades Computer Repair, priority one is always to determine if you have backed up your critical data to a secondary media (such as external USB hard drive). Hopefully you backed up either your entire computer system (such as to an "image file" using Norton Ghost) or at least backed up your important data ("Documents & Settings" folder contents).  Keep in mind that even if your computer won't start, your files can usually be recovered. Please provide a secondary internal or external hard drive if you wish to have your data backed up, otherwise PCR can temporarily back up your data to an in-house drive as a precaution.

  

Important questions you should ask BEFORE you let ANY computer repair place fix your computer:

A) If their attempts to "repair" your existing Windows installation fail, how much EXTRA will they charge you for a reinstallation of Windows? Most stores charge $99 EXTRA for this! If not data is to be migrated, PCR does NOT charge extra for Windows reinstallation (as part of the 100.00 flat repair rate) if your existing system is too damaged to repair.

B) If you need to have your personal data migrated into to the new Windows installation how much EXTRA will they charge? Most chain stores charge $99 for for only 10 GB. PCR only charges $20 for migration of the first 100 GB of your personal raw data if your existing system is too damaged to repair. PCR only charges $10 per "user" (if user specific settings must be migrated), $10 per certificate (if applicable), and $10 per email or browser data import (if applicable).

C) How much EXTRA do they charge for "protection"? Most chain stores charge $99 for this. PCR does NOT charge extra for anti-virus protection.

D) How long will it take them? Chain store repair shops have been reported to take several days just to perform a basic "diagnostic", then several more days if not weeks to finally complete the repair. PCR will let you know if you are not 1st in line for repair. PCR's typical turnaround is 1 - 2 days. Typically add 1 more day if parts need to be ordered.